Tag: Advertising

Brand battles get personal: Why comparative advertising is having a moment

Bold Moves or Brand Risks? Experts opine that such “slugfests” have always been around, only the language has changed.

From Xiaomi taking a swipe at Samsung in a print ad this week—after mocking Apple just last month—to Mamaearth calling out Lakmé in the beauty aisle, brands are increasingly leaning into comparative advertising to grab attention in a hyper-competitive market.

Google removes 10.7 mn election ads in 2024 for being run by unverified accounts: Report

While Google says working from home wasn’t the main reason behind its recent job cuts, company co-founder Sergey Brin has been vocal about preferring people in the office.

Gambling-related ads made up another 146 million removals. Ads promoting adult content were also heavily enforced, with about 122 million blocked. Healthcare and medicine ads resulted in nearly 105 million removals, particularly where unapproved or misleading claims were made.

Omnicom’s John Wren on IPG deal: ‘No fear of losing (clients) because of the transaction’

John Wren (left) and Phil Angelastro will remain EVP & CFO of Omnicom. Philippe Krakowsky (pictured on right) and Daryl Simm will serve as Co-Presidents and COOs of Omnicom.

Omnicom’s revenue in the first quarter reached $3.7 billion, up 1.6 percent from the same period a year earlier. Organic revenue, which excludes the effects of currency fluctuations and acquisitions, rose 3.4 percent.

Behind the Speed: Ad fraud in quick commerce could cost brands up to Rs 1000 crore

The nature of quick commerce— high frequency, hyper-local targeting, impulse buys—makes it ideal for performance marketing. But it’s also what opens the floodgates to fraud. (Image source: Unsplash)

As quick commerce platforms gain traction, brands’ ad spends have soared past Rs 3,500 crore a year. But hidden beneath the convenience and speed lies a growing concern – ad fraud is bleeding budgets, skewing data, and eroding trust.

Mamaearth-Lakmé faceoff: Skincare brand wars heat up, HUL responds

According to Lakmé, the campaign was based on in vivo testing — a globally recognized gold standard for evaluating sunscreen efficacy — conducted at an independent, accredited laboratory.

Such competitive jabs are not unprecedented in the marketplace. In 2021, German brand Sebamed famously launched an ad campaign targeting HUL’s Dove, igniting a public debate over pH levels in personal care products.

Democratization or Dilution?: The game of open agency pitches on LinkedIn

Despite all the negative aspects of pitching through this process, MullenLowe Lintas Group’s Krishna Iyer does hold out some hope, if it is done with ‘intent’. For new-age brands, the pitching process on LinkedIn allows them to bypass bureaucracy and connect directly with fresh talent. For nimble agencies, it is a chance to jump into the game—without waiting on formal RFPs or procurement portals, he said. (Image Source: Freight People)

Brands are increasingly turning to LinkedIn for agency pitch calls, raising questions about efficiency, intent, and the future of creative partnerships.

Sunscreen showdown: Honasa’s Ghazal Alagh takes a jab at HUL-owned Lakmé

According to Lakmé, the campaign was based on in vivo testing — a globally recognized gold standard for evaluating sunscreen efficacy — conducted at an independent, accredited laboratory.

Ghazal Alagh and Lakmé ignite a high-SPF showdown, spotlighting transparency, science-backed claims, and rising competition in an evolving skincare market.

The Big Break that changed Indian advertising: Piyush Pandey & Ogilvy

As it goes in the nineties' Cadbury ad, kuch khaas hai hum sabhi mein, there is something extra special about Piyush Pandey. His work has proved to be an inspiration across generations. His ideas and words have cut across India and the world. (Imaging: Triparna Mitra)

Piyush Pandey is regarded as the creative soul of Indian advertising and Ogilvy. A man who didn’t just write ads but rewrote the language in which India spoke to itself.